The 78-year-old Foyt fell and injured himself while working on his ranch near Houston, Texas last month, prompting the need for surgery.

“I was a little nervous about this surgery but they had me up and walking the same day,” Foyt said. “I’m sore but nothing like I was before the surgery. I guess I waited too long to have it done though because my hip was in really bad shape. They couldn’t believe I was walking at all.”

Foyt will miss this weekend’s Indy car return to Pocono Raceway after a 23-year absence. Foyt is a former four-time winner at Pocono in the USAC and CART series.

“The doctors tell me it will be six to eight weeks before I can travel,” said Foyt, whose last career Indy car win was at Pocono in 1982.

Foyt, who still holds the record for most career Indy car wins (67), will remain in the hospital for several more days to continue post-op recovery and rehabilitation.

Monday’s surgery was the second for Foyt in three months. One of only three drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 four times (others were Al Unser and Rick Mears), Foyt had successful lower back surgery in April to relieve pain from a sciatic nerve issue.